Casting apparatus.



B. GALLAGHER.

' CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION nun KAY 5, 191a.

- PateflfiedSept. 1,1914.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

B. GALLAGHER.

CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY5, 191s.

Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

4 SHBETSSHEET 2.

Patented Spt.1,1914.

4 8HEBT8SHEET 3.

' IWZZWZ' FZZZZ'IIIII.

nn huunhlll in IB.GALLAGHER.

CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED Y5, 191s B. GALLAGHER.

CASTING APPARATUS APPLICATION EILBD MAY 5, 191a.

1,109,572. Patented Sept. 1,1914.

4 SHEBTSSHEBT 4.

g zizeasfiea, jizdizzw BERNARD GALLAGHER, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

CASTING APPARATUS.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

Application filed May 5, 1913. Serial No. 765,568.

To all 11?]! am it may concern Be it known-that I, BERNARD GALLAGHER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essexand State of able others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same;

This invention relates to apparatus for making castings, and moreparticularly to apparatus for making ingots of metal, such as ig ironand steel.

olten metal as it comes from the furnace contains more or less gaswhich, if allowed to remain in the metal until it solidifies, formsbubbles or blow-holes. One method of freeing the molten metal from gasis by the application of centrifugal force.

One object of the present invention is to provide new and improved meansfor expelling gases .from molten metal by this method. In accordancewith this object one feature of the invention contemplates the provisionof a rotating receptacle to receive the molten metal. Mechanism isprovided for automatically stopping the rotation of the receptacle aftera sufiicient length of time has elapsed to allow the metal to set.

A further object-of the invention is to provide a receptacle for themolten'metal which will produce ingots of convenient shape and suitablesize for the purposes for which they are to be used. To theaccomplishment of this object another feature of th inventioncontemplates a construction of the metal receiving portion of thereceptacle in an annular form, provided with radial partitions to dividethe metal into arc-like segments of suitable size. This constructionforms a channel-shaped groove, for the reception of the metal, opentoward the center. The peripheral surface of the receptacle may beformed by removable covers.

A- further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter described having automatic means for determining the quantityof molten metal to be formed into each ingot. Automatic means is alsoprovided to control the movement of the receptacle from the time themolten metal is admitted thereto until the metal has become hard enoughto be removed therefrom. To the accomplishment of these obtemplatesmeans for stopping the flow of metal to the-receptacle after apredetermined uantity has-been delivered thereto. The we ght of themetal in the receptacle, when the desired quantity has been delivered,also throws the mechanism for trans ferring the receptacle from thereceiving to the delivery station into operation. During the interim,the rotation of the receptacle is automatically stopped.

Other features of the invention relate to certain devices, combinationsand arrange ments of parts hereinafter described and claimed, whichpossess advantages which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The drawings illustrate the best form of the apparatus at present knownto the inventor, in which Figure 1' is an elevation of my improvedapparatus showing the receptacle in its metal-receiving position; Fig. 2is an end elevation of the receptacle carriage and receptacle, thelatter having its cover partly receptacle when constructed or castingan- -nu1i, and Flg. 6 is a cross section of the parts of the receptacleshown in Fig. 5.

jects a further feature of the invention 0011- -The receptacle 1, toreceive the molten metal, is mounted on the end of a shaft 2 which isadapted to be rotated at a high speed, Any suitable source of power maybe employed to. rotate the shaft, such, for

instance, as an electric motor 3, in which case the shaft 2 may be theshaft of the motor. The receptacle comprises a disk 4 fixed to the shaft2, having secured thereto' partitions 5 which are also secured to a ring6. The number of partitio-ns'may be varied as desired in order to dividethe metal into sections of any required length. Each of the partltions 5has a cover 7 pivoted thereto at 8 sothat it can be swung into thedotted position in Fig. 3 to permit the ingot to be removed from thecompartment beneath it. The cover is locked in its closed spout 12 (Fig.2) through which the metal is delivered from a, furnace 13.. Thereceptacle 1 is rotated at a-sufliciently high rate of speed to causethe metal to remain in the channel at its periphery. The centrifugalforce also acts to force the gas from the metal toward the center ofrotation where it escapes to the atmosphere. After the metal has becomesolid, the rota- 10, tion of the receptacle is automatically stopped, aswill be hereinafter described, and the keys 11 are removed to permit thecovers to be opened and the ingots removed.

The motor for rotating the receptacle is mounted upon a carria e 14provided with suitable wheels 15 whic run on a track 16. Mechanism isrovided to automatically cut off the flow 0 metal and to move thecarriage to the delivery station. The mechanism for this purpose ispreferably thrown into operation when the quantity of metal in r therece tacle reaches a predetermined Wei ht. Ihe weight of the metal ismeasure by providing a movable section 17 (Fig.

35 1) in the track 16. The section 17 is pivoted at 18 to a fixedportion of the track and the other end is normally elevated by springs19 which connect a tie-rod 20 (Fig.- 2) between the rails and stationarystandards 21.

The strength of the springs 19 is such as to hold the movable section 17of the track in an elevated position until the desired quan tity ofmetal has been delivered to the receptacle, at which time the springswill be distended so that the movable section of the track drops intoplace which will automatically cut oif the supply of metal and start 1the carriage inmotion toward the delivery station. Depression of themovable section of the track acts to cut off the supply of metal byreleasing a latch 22 which holds agate 23 in its open position. Thelatch 22 is in the form of a bell crank having one end connected by acord 24 with a rod 25 carried by the movable section of the track. Whenthe track is depressed, the latch 22 is moved about its pivot frombeneath the gate 23 which allows the gate to drop and out 01f thesupply'of metal flowing from thespout 12;

The means for moving the carriage from its receiving station comprises acontinuously moving chain 26, (Fig. 1) which may be actuated by anysuitable means, and a co-acting plunger 27 mounted on the cars riage.When the carriage is in its elevated position, on the track secfion 17,that is, before the receptacle 1 is fi led, the plunger is in a positionabove the path of travel of the chain. The depression of the carriagecauses the plunger to engage the chain which thereupon moves thecarriageto the right, viewing Fig. 1, until the plunger is -.againelevated. The plunger 27 is free to slide vertically in a bracket 28being held in its position on the bracket by a stop pin 27 When thecarriage reaches the delivery statiomthe plunger is automaticallywithdrawn from the chain by theengagement of a stud 29, projecting fromthe plunger, with a fixed member 30, at the delivery station having aninclined cam surface 31. The cam 31 acts on the stud 29 when thecarriage reaches the delivery station to withdraw the plunger from thechain and arrest the movement of the carriage. After the ingots havebeen removed from the receptacle, the plunger 27 may be depressedso asto again engage the chain as it is mostconvenient to make the track 16continuous sothat after the carriage leaves the delivery station it willbe automatically returned to the receiving station, opposite thefurnace, to receive another charge. On riding up the inclined tracksection 17 the plunger will again be disengaged from the chain 26.

Power is supplied to the motor 3 to rotate the receptacle from atrolley-wire 32 which is engaged by a roll 33 on a trolley pole 34carried by the carriage 145' The circuit may be completed through thetrack.

In order that the rotation of the receptacle may be stopped after themetal has set, a

strip of insulating material 35 is suspended I belowthe trolley wire 32.It will be apparent that as soon as the roll 33 encounters theinsulation the circuit will be broken which will stop the motor. Thestrip of insulating material is placed ata suflicient distance from thefurnace to allow the molten metal to set. The insulating materialextends over the delivery station and may then be continued so as tokeep the circuit broken, to a point near the receiving station wherethemotor should again be thrown into operation. When the receptacle ishalted opposite the furnace the gate 23 may be-opened and the operationrepeated.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown a form of receptacle 1 adapted to theproduction of cast annuli which are useful in the arts, for instance inmaking ordnance. In this construction the receptacle is not providedwith the covers 7 or the partitions 5. .The peripheral wall is solid andthe annular space within it is left unobstructed. To the end of thereceptacle into which the molten metal is poured, there is secured acover plate 36 in the form of an annulus. The means for securing thecover to the wall of the receptacle 1 comprises pins 37, threaded intothe wall (Fig. 6), which project through suitably spaced openings in thecover plate and which are provided with transverse slots for thereception of cotters 38. By knocking out the cotters the cover 36 canreadily be removed after the metal has cooled. In this construction thedepth of the receptacle 1 may be varied .to suit the use to which theingot is to be put, as indicated by Fig. 6.

It will, of course, be understood that all solidifies, substantially asdescribed.

parts of the receptacle 1 with which the molten metal comes in contactwill be provided with a refractory lining of suitable material. Thislining is indicated in cross From the foregoing description it will beseen that a novel apparatus has been designed which will produceingots'of a; given Weight, shaping such ingots at substantially theoriginal heat. The apparatus described is effective in reducingdisintegration of the fibers ofthe metal as the inner portions of theingots remain hot for a relatively longer time than the outer portionswhich, as is Z well knownto those skilled in the art, is of assistancein this particular.

While it is preferred to employ the specific construction andarrangement to the parts shown and described, since this constructionand arrangement is the simplest and most eflicient embodiment of the in"ention which has yet been devised, it will be understood that theconstruction and arrangement is not essential except so far as it isspecified in the claims, and may be varied or modified without departingfrom the broader features of the'invention.

hat is claimed as new, is

1. Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal having an opening near its axis ofrotation for the introduction of the molten metal and having an openingnear its circumference normally covered by a hinged, peripheral closurefor removing the cast metal, and means for r0- tating the receptaclewhile the metal solidi fies, substantially as described.

2-. Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal of a substantially cylindricaloutline divided into a plurality of compartments and having openingsinto the compartments near the axis of the receptacle for theintroduction of the molten metal and having openings near the peripheryof the receptacle normally covered with closuresfor the removal of thecastings from the compartments, and means.

for rotating the receptacle While the metal 3. Apparatus fonmakingcastings, having, in combination, 'a-rotatable receptacle for receivingmolten metal of a substantially cylindrical outline, aplurality of:partitions extending inwardly from the peeriphery of the receptacle andterminating at a distance from the axis of the receptacle 1 so as todivide the interior of the receptacle into a number of inwardly openingcompartments, said receptacle having one-of its 'ends open near the axisfor the introduction of the molten metal into the interior ,of thereceptacle and into the open compartments, closures on the periphery ofthe ;receptacle to give access to the compartments to remove thecastingots, and means for rapidly rotating the receptacle while the metalsolidifies, substantially as described.

4. Apparatus for making castings, havfor receiving molten metal, meansfor rapidly rotating the receptacle until the metal ;so1idifies, acarriage upon which the receptacle is mounted, and means actingautolmatically to start the carriage when the reiceptacle is filled,substantially as described.

5. Apparatus for making castings, havging, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidly rotating thereceptacle while the metal solidifies, means for supplying molten metal'to the receptacle, and means acting automatically to cut. ofi thesupply of molten 'metal when the receptacle is filled, substantially asdescribed. A

ing, in combination, a rotatable receptacle for receiving molten metal,means for rapidly rotating the receptacle while the metal solidifies, acar'riage 'upon which the recepreceptacle with molten metal, and meansacting automatically when the receptacle is start, the carriage,substantially as described. I

7. Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidly rotating thereceptacle while the metal solidifies,'a carriage upon which thereceptacle is'm'ounted, a track for the carriage having a verticallymovable section upon which the carriage stands while the receptacle is.being filled, and means connected to said section of track andcontrolled by the weight of metal in the receptacle acting automaticallyto cut off the supply of metal when the receptacle is filled,substantially as described.

8. Apparatus for making castings, having, in'combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidly rotating thereceptacle while the metal solidifies, a marriage for. the receptacle,means acting automatically to start the-carriage when the receptacle isfilled and move it to its delivery point, and means acting Zing, incombination, a rotatable receptacle 6. Apparatus for making castings,havtacle'is mounted, means for supplying the 105 filled tocut oil thesupply of metal and metal solidifies, a carriage for the receptacle,

a track for the carriage, a circuit for supplying electricity to themotor, and means for breaking the circuit when the carriage has traveleda predetermined distance on the track, substantiall as described.

11. Apparatus or making castings, having, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidly rotating thereceptacle while the metal solidifies, a carriage for the receptacle, a

track for the carriage, means for moving the carriage along-the track ata predetermined speed, and means acting automatically to stop therotation of the receptacle when the carriage has traveled apredetermined distance onthe track, substantially as described.

12.- Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, a rotatabledrum-like receptacle for receiving molten metal, having an opening inone end for the introduc tion of the molten metal, a plurality ofpartitions extending inward from the periphery of the receptacle andterminating at a distance from the axis of the receptacle for formingcompartments opening toward the axis of the drum, removable closures onthe periphery of the drum to permit the removal of the cast ingots fromthe compart- }.ments, and means for rapidly rotating the receptaclewhile the metal in the compart- 'g ments solidifies, substantially asdescribed.-

13. Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidly rotating thereceptacle while thevmetal solidifies, a carriage for the receptacle, a

track for the carriage having a section which is depressed when, apredetermined amount of metal is run into the receptacle,

and means acting automatically when the track section is depressed tostart the carriage along the track, substantially as described..

14. Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, a rotatablereceptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidly rotating thereceptacle while the metal solidifies, a carriage for the receptacle, atrack for the carnage, means for moving the carriage along the track,and means acting automatically to stop the carriage when it reaches thepoint at which the receptacle is to receive the metal, substantially asdescribed 15. Apparatus for making castings, having, in combination, arotatable receptacle for receiving molten metal, means for rapidlyrotating the receptacle while the metal solidifies, a carriage for thereceptacle, a trackfor the carriage having a depressible section at thepoint where the receptacle is tacle at the point where the receptacle isto receive the metal when the movable track section is elevated and tocooperate with the moving means to start the carriage when the movabletrack section is depressed by the weight of the metal run into thereceptacle, substantially as described.

BERNARD GALLAGHER. Witnesses:

KATHRYN GALLAGHER, GEo. E. STEBBINB.

